What's goin' on?

We will try to update and post here any new information on what's going on, what's still needed etc. This information is directly from the Williams family and/or the site designer, and posted in the order of date posted - newest first.

August 25, 2008

    Summertime brings out everyone's projects. Unfortunately, the Williams tragedy is a project most have put on the 'back-burner' and they are STILL not in a home. The roof on the kennel is approximately 75% completed, but the house roof is still untouched. We are trying to coordinate a project date tentatively set for September 6-7, 2008 (the following weekend if rain delays work) to tackle the house roof. WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET. To save the house, most of the existing roof needs to be taken off, new trusses put on, and then roofing materials. If you can spare some time and would like to volunteer, please don't hesitate to contact us.

    We have managed to acquire most of the material needed to at least have a safe home for us and our animals, we are lacking the manpower to finish, and still asking for good-hearted volunteers to help us out. While the roofs are obviously a priority, there is still much to be done. Ranging from small projects like painting, cutting weeds, general cleanup, to larger projects such as drywall installation, and general contract work, large animal shelters, etc. As the Williams were left with very little of monetary value, we are unable to offer pay to our help. We are looking for good homes for our horses, and also have some puppies available and may be able to work out an agreement, please contact us FIRST as these are rare agreements and contracts must be written for such agreements.

SEPTEMBER 6-7, 2008 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Please contact us via this site or Old Style Kennels if you can help!

March 9-April 2, 2008

    Well, the weather is warming up! We are still lacking around 150 feet of the 9 guage chain link, as well as the piping and caps to build the kennel. We are still looking for volunteers to help us with the labor. Trusses for the house are in the works and planned on being delivered April 3. We are all hoping this comes through because that is a huge portion of the needs. We still need the roofing paper, shingles, trim pieces, and inside insulation and drywall, windows, doors. We are also finding smaller items that will be needed that are over looked such as finishing pieces like gutters/eaves, lumber to rebuild staircases etc.
Sidenote:Unfortunately, we have received many false hopes concerning donations and help, so we would like to ask you to PLEASE only offer to help if you are planning on following through with your offer. We understand your life has incidents that come up that may void the offer, but a few have offered only to disappear after or attempt a profit on the tragedy. This affects many people involved, and makes it very hard to get anything organized to get the Williams back into a home.

February 19-March 8, 2008

    The good news is we are half way to our goal of getting the $5,000 we need for the materials to repair the house thanks to the generosity of those who have contributed so far. Unfortunately we can't start work until we reach our goal or get some of the materials donated. In the famous words of Blanche DuBois (A Streetcar Named Desire), we are still "counting on the kindness of strangers". To all those that have donated (especially the many school children)Thank You.

February 6-18, 2008

    My apologies to everyone for the lack of updates lately. As I have become increasingly busy, I have not been able to visit the Williams' as much as I had hoped, and unfortunately, I don't get much information unless I go there. I have heard that a roof for the house is in the works and we will need some help/workers willing to donate some time to get it together. Please email if you are interested. There is still a desperate need for outside kennel fencing. 9 ga. chain link; approximately 220 feet is needed, as well as the piping/gate materials.

January 25-February 5, 2008

    Unfortunately, there really isn't a lot to report for progress lately. Getting the supplies needed to repair the buildings is becoming a very difficult task. Among many other items needed, a furnace is greatly needed for the kennel. Roofing supplies, and 9 gauge kennel fencing is also in great need. If you or your company may be able to donate any materials, please contact us for a list of specific supplies needed.

January 20-24, 2008

    We are having trouble getting a jumpstart on any repair/rebuilding. We still lack both manpower, and the supplies needed to make the home and kennel habitable. The dogs in a dispute last weekend were successfully moved to an undisclosed location, and the family can only continue to hope for a fast and safe return of all of their [animal] family members. The unbearable temperatures this week have greatly impacted any progress, but we hope for more action soon. If there is anyone (contractors/experienced builders especially) that would like to volunteer please contact us. We are hoping to get things in order, then to have a date set for building/repair etc. A huge thank you to those that adopted a puppy and contacted Old Style Kennels.

January 17-19, 2008

    We are asking that anyone that adopted an OldStyle Kennels puppy from Happy Camper Resort please get in touch with the Williams family. Paperwork has been shuffled and we need to know they are in good homes, as well as offer their registration papers, and info on the full guarantee offered by OldStyle Kennels. Anne and Rick have been advised not to comment on the current situation regarding Happy Camper Resort, but feel they are being kicked while they are down, and hope that those in a power of position step in to help. The family and friends have an informal meeting planned for Monday, in hopes to get a true gameplan lined up to make progress on the home. More info will be posted as to what we need after that. It is believed our biggest need is of a licensed roofing contractor to sign for a building permit, as well as supplies for the repairs.

January 16, 2008

    Local church paid visit to inform family that the tragedy is too big for them to coordinate/organize. This site well underway, to try to help the family, offer consistant information, and thank anyone that may be able to help. Filled with false hopes and empty promises, wasted time, this may be the beginning of a treacherous journey. Some donations have been made, and VERY appreciated, but not near enough to get house and/or kennel habitable. RV hooked up for heat, but conflict with county results in no water hook up. Although debris etc restricts location of placement, it is said that it needs to move twenty-eight feet.

January 10-14, 2008

    Small progress being made on cleanup efforts. The Williams were told by local church that BY Sunday [January 13, 2008] they would be able to live in the upstairs apartment above kennels, as they were organizing/assigning crews that saturday to come in and rebuild/repair. Strangers showing up as friends to help in any way they can. Opening their kind hearts, touching the hearts of anyone involved. RV style trailer donated, parked near septic and propane tank for easy hook up. The Mastiffs, Irish Wolfhound, and puppies were relocated to Happy Camper Pet Resort.

January 7-9, 2008

    Time of tornado devastation. Buildings, vehicles a TOTAL loss. Red Cross and local church steps in to offer help. Anne and Rick Williams threatened with arrest for being in house (previously being reconstructed from a twister that hit in 1997), because of no 'occupancy permit'. Small pop-up style camping trailer donated, porta-potty, and enclosed trailer to store what might be salvaged also donated. Bulldogs were relocated to various places.